[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 189 (Monday, December 14, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S13188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                REMEMBERING AMBASSADOR THOMAS F. STROOCK

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President. Wyoming has lost a statesman. On Sunday, 
December 13, 2009, Ambassador Thomas F. Stroock passed away at the age 
of 84. Tom once said, ``I don't know why God gave me this wonderful 
life. Good fortune, I guess.'' Those of us who had the benefit of 
knowing Tom are certain that his wonderful life was a result of his 
determination, toughness, and confidence.
  Tom served our Nation as a marine in WWII. In 1948, he graduated from 
Yale University and then found his way to Wyoming. His first job was as 
a roughneck on an oil rig. The following year, the lovely Marta Freyre 
de Andrade agreed to be his wife.
  Tom was a man who saw possibilities and opportunities. He started his 
own oil and gas properties firm in 1952, Stroock Leasing Corporation 
and Alpha Exploration, Inc. It grew to be one of Wyoming's most 
respected and successful oil and gas businesses.
  While he was busy with his successful energy endeavors, Tom still had 
much to give Wyoming and our Nation. He served for 16 years in the 
Wyoming Legislature. He was chairman of the local school board, as well 
as the Wyoming School Boards Association and Wyoming Higher Education 
Council. Tom used his energy and business acumen to lead the industry 
though his service on the Wyoming Natural Gas Pipeline Authority and 
the Enhanced Oil Recovery Commission.
  In 1989, his good friend and college classmate, President George H. 
W. Bush, tapped him to be the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of 
Guatemala. It was a tough assignment. Guatemala was in the midst of a 
decades-long civil war. Tom approached this job as he did all of his 
other challenges--with forthrightness and courage. Ambassador Stroock 
provided challenge and support to our friends in Guatemala as they 
worked toward a more stable economy, a decrease in political violence 
and perhaps most notable to the outside world, increased internal 
safety measures. Tom helped bring about changes that greatly impacted 
the daily lives of Guatemalans.
  Tom Stroock's accomplishments were numerous. Throughout his lifetime 
of leadership and service, Marta was at his side. The couple, married 
for 60 years, served as a pillar of the Casper, WY, community. Their 
daughters Margie, Sandy, Betty, and Anne, are carrying on their 
father's commitment to business and public service.
  Mr. President, while we are saddened by the passing of Ambassador 
Thomas F. Stroock, we are left with the example of a life well lived.

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